Assembly for attaching a securing line to a roof beam structure

ABSTRACT

An assembly for attaching a securing line to a roof structure beam covered with a panel has a bracket, an attachment member, and a fastener. The attachment member has a hook on the second end thereof which is inserted through a panel aperture in the panel and hooked around the beam supporting the panel in abutment therewith. The first end of the attachment member extends outwardly through the panel aperture when the hook is hooked around the beam in abutment therewith and is extended through a member aperture of the bracket. The fastener is then fastened to the first end of the attachment member in abutment with the bracket and with the bracket abutting the panel, thus securely attaching the bracket to the panel and beam. The secure line, connected to the bracket, is thus secured to the panel. An optional reinforcing block is used for attaching the assembly to corrugated roof panels.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to assemblies for attaching a securing line to a roof for anchoring persons thereon, and is more particularly concerned with an assembly for attaching a securing line to a roof beam structure for anchoring persons thereon, and that makes it easy for the persons to hook themselves to the security line in order to have their hands free to work.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known in the art to attach securing lines to roofs for anchoring persons to the roofs. Such securing lines are often cords made of sturdy, yet flexible material such as metal or plastics, for example flexible metal cords. However, such securing lines may also include chains or ropes. Typically, the securing lines are securely connected, directly or indirectly, to a person on the roof and to an assembly attached to the roof either to the exterior surface thereof or to an interior metallic roof panel upon which the exterior surface is subsequently installed. Thus, the securing lines prevent persons anchored thereby to the roof, and more specifically the roof structure when covered with panels, from falling off the roof. Such securing lines and assemblies are particularly useful for preventing workers from falling while working on a roof in proximity to an edge thereof.

Numerous examples of such cord attachment assemblies for attaching cords to roofs or metallic roof panels thereof are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,661, issued to Cutter et al., teaches an assembly having first and second brackets which are connected to beams below the roof and which are interconnected to one another with an anchorage, the securing line being connectable to the anchorage. However, the assembly requires perforation of a large number of holes through the roof panel for attachment thereof to the underlying structure beams, which may be undesirable both in terms of time and effort required for attachment and aesthetic reasons since the holes have to be patched or fixed after use. Further, the assembly is large and cumbersome.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,233, issued to Olsen et al., discloses an assembly having rectangular plates connected to a spring-loaded hinge assembly which normally biases the plates toward one another in a completely folded configuration. Each plate defines an aperture aligned with the opposing aperture when the plates are completely folded together, and through which the securing line is attached. A double locking safety hook may be clipped through the apertures, and prevents the plates from being unfolded. Each plate includes a retention post fixedly attached thereto and extending outwardly beyond the rear edge of the associated plate. Each retention post has an enlarged head with two flat surfaces. The flat surfaces may be aligned with the slot in the beam and inserted therethrough into a recessed cavity when the plates are completely unfolded. When the plates are then folded together, the retention posts rotate relative to the slot and the enlarged heads become engagingly retained within the recessed cavity and behind the narrower slot. Thus, the assembly can be attached to the beam without perforations therein. However, this assembly is conceived for direct attachment to beams, i.e. without the roof panel attached thereto, and requires use of beams having slots therein.

Furthermore, for a variety of reasons, most of the known attachment assemblies are not suitable for approval under most building codes and/or from most agencies, especially the more severe ones.

Accordingly there is a need for an improved assembly for attaching a securing line to roof structure covered by an interior panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved assembly for attaching a securing line to a roof structure, typically supporting panels, for anchoring a person situated on the roof panel thereto.

An advantage of the present invention is that the assembly for attaching a securing line to a roof beam is suitable for the most severe regulatory requirements.

An advantage of the present invention is that the assembly may be easily attached and then removed after use.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the assembly requires perforation of only one panel aperture in the roof panel for each assembly, with the aperture being essentially not visible after use while not affecting the structural characteristics of the panel such that it can remain unpatched or unfixed after use.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that visibility of panel apertures may be minimized, and therefore the panel(s) needs not to be fixed or replaced after use.

Another further advantage of the present invention is that the assembly may be attached to either corrugated or flat roof panels.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly for attaching a securing line to a roof beam covered with a roof panel, the assembly comprises:

-   -   at least one fastener;     -   a bracket having at least one line aperture, through which the         securing line passed and attached to the bracket, and at least         one member aperture;     -   an attachment member having a generally straight first end and a         second end shaped as a hook, the attachment member being         configured for extension of the hook-shaped second end through a         panel aperture in the panel and hooking around and in abutment         with a first proximal beam member of the beam, the first         proximal beam member at least partially abutting the panel, and         with the first end extending through the panel aperture and the         member aperture for fastening of the bracket thereupon in         abutment with the panel by the fastener for securing the         bracket, and thereby the securing line, to the beam.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following Figures, in which similar references used in different Figures denote similar components, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a use of an assembly attaching a securing line to a roof panel and underlying beam, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, for anchoring a person with the securing line to the roof panel;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, attaching a securing line to a roof panel and underlying beam;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, attaching a securing line to a roof panel and underlying beam;

FIG. 4 is a an exploded view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 a is a side elevation view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 in a deployed configuration therefor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the annexed drawings the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be herein described for indicative purpose and by no means as of limitation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, therein is shown an assembly, shown generally as 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for attaching a securing line 12, 12′ to a roof panel 38 for anchoring a person 14 thereon in accordance with the present invention by connecting the securing line 12, 12′ to the assembly 10 and to the person 14. Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 1, the securing line 12, 12′ may be connected to two or more assemblies 10 in extension therebetween with a secondary securing line 12′ connected to the person 14 and the securing line 12, 12′. The securing line 12 and secondary securing line 12′ may also be connected to an object, not shown.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4, and 4 a, the panel 38 has a lower panel face 48 and a generally opposed upper panel face 50. Further, the roof panel 38 is a preferably a corrugated metal panel 38 having at least one recessed canal 40 extending end-to-end therealong between sets of adjacent elevated ridges 42, having preferably planar top ridge portions 64, extending end-to-end along the panel 38 and which define the recessed canal 40. At least a portion of the lower panel face 48, notably the lower panel face 48 of the recessed canal 40 for corrugated panel 38, rests upon at least one underlying metal beam, shown generally as 44, in abutment therewith, and preferably upon at least a first proximal beam member 46 a of the beam 44 which is proximally adjacent to the panel 38. The panel 38 is also connected, preferably by soldering, to the beam 44 at the lower panel face 48, preferably under at least one recessed canal 40 when the panel 44 is a corrugated panel 44. Preferably, the beam 44 also has a second proximal beam member 46 b, spaced apart from and extending substantially parallel to the first proximal beam member 46 a, that is also proximally adjacent to the panel 38 and upon which the lower panel face 48 rests thereover with at least a portion thereof in abutment therewith. When the panel 44 is a corrugated panel 44, the beams 44 and beam members 46 typically extend transversally, and preferably perpendicularly, to the recessed canals 40.

Preferably, the beam 46 also has, for each proximal beam member 46 a,b a corresponding distal beam member 46 c, 46 d which is situated distal the panel 38 below the proximal beam members 46 a, 46 b. Further, distal beam members 46 c, 46 d are also preferably aligned in parallel with each other in the same fashion as the proximal beam members 46 a, 46 b. Distal beam members 46 c, 46 d are, preferably, connected to proximal beam members 46 a, 46 b by connector members 52 which extend therebetween and are connected thereto, preferably with connector beam pairs 54 of adjacent connector members 52 a,b slanting inwardly and upwardly towards each other from the distal beam members 46 a,b to the proximal beam members 46 c, 46 d. The connector beams 52 of each pair 54 are, preferably, slightly spaced apart from each other at the point where they are connected to the proximal beam members 46 a, 46 b, which preferably coincides with a point at which the panel 38 is in contact with the proximal beam members 46 a, 46 b.

The proximal beam members 46 a, 46 b, preferably but not necessarily, have a descending portion 58 which extends downwardly away from the lower panel face 48 of the panel 46, preferably substantially perpendicular thereto. As such, when there are two proximal beam members 46 a, 46 b, the descending sections 58 a,b, extending spaced apart in substantially parallel alignment with one another, form a beam channel 56 into which the connector members 52 extend. For example, and as best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 4 a, the beam members 46 a, 46 b could be L-shaped with a first beam member plate 58 forming the descending portion 58 of beam members 46 a, 46 b and connected to a second beam member plate 62 intersecting therewith extending substantially perpendicular thereto, and thereby substantially parallel the panel 38. In such cases, it would be the second beam member plate 62 with which the panel 48, or portion thereof, would primarily be in contact.

Referring still to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 4 a, the assembly 10 comprises, as best shown in FIG. 4 a, an attachment member 18, at least one fastener 26 a, and a bracket 28. The attachment member 18 has a generally straight first end 20 and a second end 22 generally opposed to the first end 20, the second end 22 having a hooked portion which forms a hook, shown generally as 24, thereat. The attachment member 18, and notably the second end 22 and hook 24, is adapted, i.e. sized and shaped, for insertion and extension through a panel aperture 72 perforated in the panel 38 and sized and shaped for passage of the second end 22 and hook 24 therethrough and subsequently hooking of the hook 24 around the beam 44, notably around the first proximal beam member 46 a when present, in abutment therewith. Preferably, the second end 22 and hook 24 are further adapted, for use when a beam channel 56 is present, such that they may fit through the beam channel 56 for extension of the second end 22 and hook 24 thereunder for hooking the hook 24 around the descending portion 58 a of the first proximal beam member 46 a in abutment therewith. In particular, and as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 4 a, to address cases where the hook size D1 of the hook 24, i.e. the distance between the second tip 74 of the hook 24 and the portion of the attachment member 12 situated directly across therefrom, is greater than the width D2 of the beam channel 52, the attachment member 12 is preferably adapted, i.e. sized and shaped, such that the second end 22 and hook 24 may be inserted through the panel aperture 72 and beam channel 56 with the hook 24 aligned in parallel with descending portions 58 a,b, until the tip 74 of the hook 24 is below descending portion 58 a and the attachment member 18 subsequently rotated turned to place the cradle of the hook 24 extending therebelow. Thus, the hook 24 can then be pulled upwards to hook around descending portion 58 a in abutment therewith. The hook 24 could also, if desired, be hooked around second proximal beam member 46 b or descending portion 58 b thereof.

The panel aperture 72 is perforated in the panel 14, in the canal 40 when the panel 38 is perforated, between the proximal beam members 46 a,b and descending portions 58 a,b when present. Further, the panel aperture 72 is preferably perforated so as to extend in parallel alignment proximal beam members 46 a,b and descending portions 58 a,b, when present, to provide for cases where the attachment member 12 must be inserted therethrough in parallel alignment with the proximal beam members 46 a,b and descending portions 58 a,b so as to fit therebetween, and subsequently rotated to hook around the first proximal beam member 46 a. As the panel aperture 72 is perforated between proximal beam members 76 a, 76 b, and descending portions 58 a, 58 b when present, the visibility of the panel aperture 72 is advantageously minimized, including after any repair thereof, versus conventional attachment assemblies. The visibility of the panel aperture 72 is still further reduced when the beam 44 has distal beam members 76 c, 76 d.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 a and 4 b, the bracket 28 has at least one member aperture 30, adapted along with the first end 20 of attachment member 18, for passage and extension of the first end 20 therethrough, and at least one line aperture 32 adapted for connection of the securing line 12, 12′ to the bracket 28 therethrough. The securing line 12, 12′ may be connected to the bracket 28 by passage of a line end thereof, not shown, through the line aperture 32 and subsequent tying or otherwise connecting the line end 12 to another portion of the line 12, 12′ or by attaching a line attachment, such as a clasp or hook connected to the line 12, 12′ to the bracket 28 through the line aperture 32. Alternatively, the line 12, 12′ may simply be extended through the line aperture of one assembly 10 and connected, as heretofore described, to another assembly 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 4 a, the bracket 28 is, preferably, an L-shaped bracket, shown generally as 28 and preferably made of metal, having a first bracket plate 34 and a second bracket plate 36 connected to first plate 34 and extending substantially perpendicularly away therefrom to form an L shape. The first bracket plate 34 has an inner bracket face 66 disposed inwardly on the bracket 28 which faces proximally towards the second bracket plate 36, and a generally opposed outer bracket face 68 which faces outwardly away from the second bracket plate 36. The member aperture 30 is disposed on the first bracket plate 34 which is adapted for abutting contact, notably on the outer bracket face 68, with at least a portion of the panel 38 when the assembly 10 is connected, i.e. attached or secured, to the beam 44, and notably the beam member 46 a, using the attachment member 18 and fastener 26. In particular, for corrugated panels 38 as shown in FIG. 3, the first bracket plate 34 is preferably adapted, i.e. sized and shaped, for extending completely over the recessed canal 40 with first bracket plate ends 70 resting on the top ridge portions 64 of elevated ridges 42 and supported thereby and the member aperture 30 disposed over the recessed canal 40 when the assembly 10 is attached to the panel 40 and beam 44 by the attachment member 18 and fastener 26. The line aperture 32 is preferably disposed on the second plate 36. However, the line aperture 32 could also be situated on the first plate 34. Further, the bracket 28 could also consist of a single plate 34 adapted for abutting contact with a portion of the panel 38, as described above.

The fastener 26 is adapted for fastening to the attachment member 18 to maintain the assembly 10 in deployed configuration, shown generally as 78 and best illustrated in FIG. 4 b. More specifically, for the deployed configuration 78, the hook 24 is hooked around the beam 44 or element 46, 58 thereof in abutment therewith as described above, with the first end 20 extending through the member aperture 30 and the outer bracket face 68 in abutment with the panel 38 as described above, and the fastener 26 is fastened to the attachment member 18 in abutment with the inner bracket face 66 of the first bracket plate 70. Thus, the fastener 26 securely retains the hook 24 hooked around the beam 44 or elements 46, 58 thereof with the bracket 28 securely fastened thereby, proximal first end 20 of attachment member 18, to the panel 38 with the outer bracket face 68 of the first bracket plate 34 in abutment with a portion of the panel 38, as described above. For the embodiment shown, the fastener 26 is a first threaded nut 26 a adapted for placement on first end 20 and tightening thereupon, by rotation thereof on first end 20, towards second end 22 until the nut 26 abuts the inner face 68 of the first bracket plate 34. Accordingly, the first end 20 is also threaded and adapted, i.e. sized and shaped, for placement and tightening of the nut 26 thereupon. The nut 26 a may also be loosened for removal from the first end 20, thereby allowing easy disengagement of the assembly 10 from the deployed configuration 78 and removal thereof from the panel 38 when work requiring use of the assembly 10 has been terminated. However, any other fastener, such as clamps or the like, capable of holding the hook 24 hooked around the beam 44, or elements 46, 58 thereof, in abutment therewith and with the bracket 28 securely fastened thereby, proximal first end 20 of attachment member 18, to the panel 38 with the outer bracket face 68 of the first bracket plate 34 in abutment with a portion of the panel 38 as previously described, may be substituted for nut 26 a. With such alternative fasteners, it may not be necessary that first end 20 be threaded. An optional washer, not shown, may also be deployed, as part of the fastener 26, between the nut 26 a and the bracket 28 and held in abutment with the bracket 28 by the nut 26 a. In any event, the nut 26 a, and the washer if present, must be adapted, i.e. sized and shaped, first end 20 can pass therethrough while preventing preventing the nut 26 a from passing through the member aperture 26. For additional security, an additional fastener 26, for example second threaded nut 26 b, may be fastened above the fastener 26 a, in the event that nut 26 a should become loose.

When the panel 38 is corrugated, an optional reinforcing block 76 having a reinforcing block channel 80 extending therethrough from first block side 82 a to a generally opposed second block side 82 b and adapted, i.e. sized and shaped, for aliognment with the panel aperture 72 and member aperture 30 for passage of at least the first end 20 of the attachment member 18 therethrough. The reinforcing block 18 is further adapted for, when the assembly 10 is in the deployed configuration 78, placement in the recessed canal 40 with the first end 20 of the attachment member extending therethrough and a portion of the outer bracket face 68 of the first bracket plate 34 intermediate the first bracket plate ends 70 in abutment with the first block side 82 a thereof and the second block side 82 b abutting the upper panel face 50 in the recessed canal 40. At the same time the first bracket plate ends 70 rest in abutment with the elevated ridges 42, as previously described, and the fastener 26 is fastened to attachment member 12 in abutment with the outer bracket face 68 of first bracket plate 34, thus securing the assembly 10 to the beam 44 and panel 38 as previously described. Thus, the reinforcing block 80 reinforces the first bracket plate 34 between the ends 70 thereof and the panel 44 in the recessed canal 40 when the assembly is the deployed configuration 78. The reinforcing block 76 is, preferably, a metal block 76, but could also be constructed of plastic, rubber, or other solid and resistant material.

In light of the foregoing, the deployment of the assembly 10 into the deployed configuration 78 can now be simply described. Initially, the panel aperture 72 is perforated in the panel 38, notably the recessed canal 40 thereof, as described previously. The attachment member 12, specifically the second end 22 and hook 24, is inserted through the panel aperture 72 below the beam 44 or element 46, 58 thereof and, if necessary, rotated or otherwise manipulated, to align the hook 24 for hooking therearound. The attachment member 12 is subsequently drawn upwards on the first end 20 until the hook 24 is hooked around the beam 44, or element 36, 58 thereof, in abutment therewith. Either prior, concurrently, or after the hook 16 is hooked around the beam 44 or element 36, 58 thereof in abutment therewith, the first end 22 of attachment member 12 is inserted through the support block 76, if present, and then the member aperture 30. Once the hook 24 is hooked around the beam 44, or element 36, 58 thereof, in abutment therewith and the first end 22 of attachment member 12 is inserted through support block 76, if present, and the member aperture 30, the bracket 28, and block 76 are displaced along the attachment member 12 until the outer bracket face 68 of first bracket plate 34 abuts the panel 38 and block 78, if present, and the block 78, if present, abuts the panel in the recessed canal 40, as previously described. The fastener 26, i.e. nut 26, is then fastened to the attachment member 12 in abutment with outer bracket face 68 of first bracket plate 34 to securely fasten the assembly 10 in the deployed configuration 78. The fastener 26, i.e. nut 26 for the embodiment shown, is typically fastened by tightening thereof on the first end 20 of the attachment member 12. The additional fastener 26 b, typically disposed above the fastener 26 a, is fastened in a similar fashion to the first fastener 26 a. By reversing this process, and notably removing fastener 26 a and, if present, 26 b, the assembly 10 may be easily removed. The securing line 12, 12′ is typically secured, as previously described, via line aperture 32 after the assembly 10 is placed in deployed configuration 78, although the securing line 12, 12′ could also be secured through the line aperture 32 prior to deployment in deployment configuration 78 if desired.

Although the present assembly been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. An assembly for attaching a securing line to a roof beam covered with a roof panel, the assembly comprising: at least one fastener; a bracket having at least one line aperture, through which the securing line passed and attached to said bracket, and at least one member aperture; an attachment member having a generally straight first end and a second end shaped as a hook, said attachment member being configured for extension of said hook-shaped second end through a panel aperture in the panel and hooking around and in abutment with a first proximal beam member of the beam, the first proximal beam member at least partially abutting the panel, and with said first end extending through the panel aperture and said member aperture for fastening of said bracket thereupon in abutment with the panel by said fastener for securing said bracket, and thereby the securing line, to the beam.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said attachment member has a thread on said straight first end and said fastener includes a threaded nut, said threaded nut being adjustably and removably fastenable on said member, by rotation thereof on said first end, towards said bracket, until said nut securely retains maintains said bracket in abutment with the panel with said second end hooked around the first proximal beam member in abutment therewith.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said attachment further includes a reinforcing spacer block having a block channel extending from a first block side to a generally opposed second block side thereof, said reinforcing block being adapted for placement of said block in a recessed canal of the panel extending between two elevated ridges thereof with said block channel generally aligned with said member aperture and the panel aperture for extension of said straight first end through said block channel and said member aperture for fastening said fastener to said attachment member with said first block side abutting said bracket, said second side abutting the panel, said second end hooked around the first proximal beam member in abutment therewith, and said bracket disposed between said first block side and said fastener and said bracket extending across the recessed canal and extending at least partially over the elevated ridges in abutment therewith.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket is an L-shaped bracket including a first bracket plate and a second bracket plate extending substantially perpendicularly from said first bracket plate to form an L shape therewith, said member aperture being disposed on said first bracket plate and said line aperture disposed on said second bracket plate.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said second end is further adapted for extension through the panel aperture between the first proximal beam member and a second proximal beam member, upon which the panel also rests, through a beam channel defined by respective descending portions of the first and second proximal beam members which extend downwardly and substantially perpendicularly away from the panel in substantially parallel alignment with one another, the panel aperture being disposed on the panel between the descending portions, thereby reducing visibility of the panel aperture.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said second end is further adapted for hooking around the first beam member in abutment therewith by hooking around the respective descending portion of the first proximal beam member in abutment therewith.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the panel aperture is disposed on the panel in substantially parallel alignment with the beam channel, said second end being further configured for extension through the beam channel with said second end substantially parallel to the descending portions until said second end is below the descending portion of the first proximal beam for subsequent rotation of said attachment member to align said second end therewith for raising said hooked second end to hook therearound in abutment therewith. 